Stretch wrap dispenser

ABSTRACT

A manual dispenser for stretch wrap material and having a dispenser body, a handle on the dispenser body and, a roll carrier extending from the dispenser body for receiving a roll of stretch wrap material and being rotatable so as to permit controlled unwinding of the stretch wrap material from the roll. The dispenser may be attached at one end of the core for single handed operation, or two dispensers may be used, one at each end of the roll for double handed operation. Core adapters are provided to accommodate rolls having cores of different sizes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a stretch wrap thermoplastic strip sheetmaterials and in particular to a hand held dispenser for dispensingstretch wrap materials manually, for application of such stretch wrapmaterial on articles such as packages and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Stretch wrap materials of thermoplastic sheet are widely used forwrapping articles and packaging goods. These stretch wrap materials aresimple to use, inexpensive, and highly effective. They are commonlysupplied in a long roll from which the material is dispensed byunwinding from the roll. As it is unwound the material is stretched andwrapped around the package or goods. Usually the tension is createdeither by pulling the package away from the roll, if the roll is in afixed location, or by pulling the roll away from the goods, if the rollis portable. When applied under tension in this way these materialssecure products against movement. They enclose packages in a tightcocoon of sheet material which makes the packages resistant to damageand make them easy to handle in volume or on a conveyor for example. Thematerial however must be applied to the goods or packages by stretchingthe material as it is wrapped around the goods. This requires toapplication of force to create tension along the axis of the stretchwrap material. At its free end the stretch wrap material must be securedto the goods usually by passing one or two loose turns around the goods.Stretching can then commence. In this process the stretch wrap materialon the roll as it is unwound, must be pulled or stretched against thegoods to which it is being applied. This requires that the roll itselfmust be held against rotation, in such a way that a braking force isapplied to the roll resisting, but not totally stopping, the unwindingof the stretch wrap material from the roll. This braking force must becontrollable or adjustable so that the correct amount of tension to makethe stretch wrap material stretch can be applied to the material duringunwinding around the package or goods to which it is being applied.

[0003] A dispenser for holding the roll is required for this purpose.

[0004] Another consideration is that stretch wrap material is suppliedin rolls of various widths. It is also wound on roll cores of twodifferent diameters.

[0005] A dispenser should preferably be capable of accepting variousdifferent rolls of stretch wrap material including rolls of material ofdifferent widths, and rolls of different lengths, and rolls having coresof different diameters.

[0006] Various dispensers for rolled stretch wrap material have beenproposed which hold a specific roll so that they achieve this brakingforce during dispensing. However the dispensers have usually beendesigned for a specific rolls, or specific uses or applications. In manycases these dispensers have been such that they were placed in a fixedlocation where packaging was being carried out.

[0007] In this case tension was often created by simply pulling thepackages in a direction away from the roll. Provided the dispenser wasapplying a braking force to the roll this would create the tensionrequired to produce stretching and effective wrapping

[0008] Other dispensers have been proposed which are of a more portablenature. The intent is to permit the use of the dispenser to dispensematerial from a roll of stretch wrap material wherever it is required.In this type of dispenser the tension was created by pulling thedispenser manually in a direction away from the package. This type ofdispenser may be for use,for example, by shippers who pick up goods atvarious locations. Couriers are one example of this type of user.However these portable or manual dispenser have not been totallysuitable for all purposes. They have been difficult to handle manually.The braking system has not always been controllable. It was not easy toadjust them so that they could be adapted to various different rolls ofstretch wrap material. They are not always capable of accepting rolls ofdifferent widths of stretch wrap material.

[0009] These portable dispensers have also been relatively expensive sothat they could not be put into wide use, for example by couriers orexpress shippers. The high cost of supplying such a dispenser on eachvehicle, for each driver, for example, would require a considerableinvestment in equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] With a view to providing a manual dispenser for stretch wrapmaterial having improved braking, and having a greater degree ofadaptability to stretch wrap material rolls of various sizes, andwidths, and to roll cores of varying diameter and having a dispenserbody, a handle on said dispenser body, a roll carrier extending fromsaid body for receiving a roll of stretch wrap material and beingrotatable whereby to permit controlled unwinding of said stretch wrapmaterial from said roll.

[0011] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material having a roll spindle fastened to said body and said rollcarrier being rotatably mounted on said spindle.

[0012] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material in which there is an adjustable braking device forapplying a retarding force to said roll carrier.

[0013] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material wherein the braking device extends through said spindleand into said body. The invention further provides a manual dispenserfor stretch wrap material wherein the adjustment device is located on afree end of said braking device located within said body.

[0014] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material which can be attached to one end only of a roll, forsingle handed operation. The invention further provides a manualdispenser for stretch wrap material which may be applied to both ends ofa roll for two handed dispensing.

[0015] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material which is adaptable to receive roll cores of varyingdiameter.

[0016] The invention further provides a manual dispenser for stretchwrap material which has a roll support as described, for receiving aroll core of one diameter and which has a roll adapter which can befitted on the roll support for receiving a roll core of a largerdiameter

[0017] The invention also provides a dispenser system consisting of aroll of stretch wrap material having a core, with a dispenser at oneend, on which the the core is fitted. The system may also consist of aroll of stretch wrap material with dispensers at each end for two handedoperation.

[0018] The various features of novelty which characterize the inventionare pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to andforming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of theinvention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by itsuse, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which there are illustrated and describedpreferred embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a roll dispenserillustrating the invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is an end elevation of a roll dispenser of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation of an adapter removed fromthe roll dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating use of the roll dispenserin one adaptation; and,

[0023]FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating use of the roll dispenserin a still further adaptation.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

[0024] As already explained, the invention provides a manual dispenserfor stretch wrap material which is rolled on a core. Such stretch wrapmaterial is deemed well known in the art and in fact resembles manyother materials rolled ready for dispensing. Such rolls of stretch wrapmaterial are illustrated generally in FIGS. 4,and 5, and require nofurther description. Such rolls may carry stretch wrap material invarious widths. Stretch wrap material may also be rolled on cores ofdiffering diameters. Also, as is well known, such stretch wrap material,in order to be effective, must be applied by stretching it as it iswound around some object. Such an object may often be goods, or packageswhich are to be shipped or stored. Stretch wrap material is often in usefrom dispensers at travel departures such as airline terminals. It isalso widely available from for example, hardware stores, where it issold in narrow rolls which are mounted on a simple handpiece. In thesecases it is used for binding parcels, somewhat like string. The stretchwrap material has the property of holding parcels and packages moretightly than string, and in most cases does not require any tying, atits end. When cut off, or simply pulled till it breaks the material willgrip onto itself and secure the package. Industrially it is used forwrapping pallet loads of goods. Stretch wrap material is also useful forcouriers and shipping agents who pick up goods from many sources, in aday, and ship them to various destinations. In some cases the source hasnot packaged the goods in a sufficiently secure manner, or in othercases there are numerous packages to be picked up and shipped, requiringrepeated handling of packages. In these cases the driver for the couriercompany, for example, will often wish to wrap the packages moresecurely, or bundle them together. Manual dispensers for stretch wrapmaterial have been provided for this purpose, but with only limitedsuccess.

[0025] The invention is therefor to be understood as directed to aportable, adaptable dispenser for stretch wrap material, for this typeof usage.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the invention isillustrated in the form of a dispenser (10) for stretch wrap material(not shown). The dispenser (10) has a main body (12) formed with anintegral handpiece (14) defining a finger opening (16). In this way thehandpiece may be gripped in one hand securely, with the fingers wrappingaround and passing through the opening (16). Main body (12) is of hollowinjection molded construction and defines a generally annular outer bodywall (18). Main body (12) also defines an integral roll support face(20) having a cylindrical spindle sleeve (22) extending therefrom. Rollsupport face (20) is itself located in a cylindrical well (24) forcontaining the braking system described below.

[0027] A spacer annular wall (26) extends forwardly from support face(20), spaced radially outward from sleeve (22). A plurality of generallytriangular gussets (28) extend from face (20) axially along the exteriorof sleeve (22) for supporting sleeve (22). An axial bolt (30) extendsalong sleeve (22). A portion of bolt (30) is threaded and the threadsend at the point (32). The remainder of bolt (30) is smooth and free ofthreads, for reasons described below. A bolt head is located on theunthreaded portion of bolt (30). A lock nut (34) is locked tight on thepoint (32) where the threads end.

[0028] It is necessary to hold the bolt against rotation, so as topermit it to act as a spindle, for reason described below. In order toprovide a simple low cost solution to the problem of locking the boltagainst rotation, the threads extend from the free end of the bolt, endat the point (32) as described. Beyond that point the bolt has a smoothcylindrical surface and terminates in integral bolt head described.

[0029] A form of lock nut known as a “Stover” nut (34) is wound alongthe threads to the point (32), and is then subjected to extra torque,locking the nut against the end of the threads.

[0030] Nut (34) in this embodiment has four sides of squareconfiguration for convenience.

[0031] In order to receive the flat square sides of nut (34) a well wall(36) is formed in main body (12),and defines an interior square shapedrecess. The wall (36) terminates at sleeve (22). The recess in wall (36)is shaped to accept the side formations of nut (34) but will not permitit to rotate. This then locks the nut (34) and also bolt (30) againstrotation.

[0032] A rotatable main roll support (42) is rotatably mounted on theunthreaded part of bolt (30) extending through and beyond the end ofsleeve (20). Roll support (42) has an inner cylindrical bolt receivingbarrel (44), and end wall (46), formed integrally therewith andextending in a plane substantially normal to the central axis of barrel(44). Extending from end wall (46) is a generally cylindrical rollreceiving drum (48), spaced outwardly from barrel (44). At the rearwardend of drum (48) there is a bearing ring (50) for purposes to bedescribed. Drum (48) is also formed with an elongated slot (52)extending forwardly from a point spaced from bearing ring (50) andterminating at a point just short of end wall (46), for purposes to bedescribed.

[0033] Drum (48) in this embodiment is cylindrical, but it may be formedwith a slight taper with a narrower portion at end wall (46) and alarger portion at ring (50). This may be desirable in some situationsbut is not required in this particular embodiment.

[0034] In order to provide a controllable friction on rotation of drum(48), a spring (40) is received on the free end of the threaded portionof bolt (30) and bears against a washer (54). A tension adjustment nut(56) is received on the threaded portion of bolt (30) and has a recessfor receiving the spring (40). Adjustment nut (56) is oversize and hasknurlings thereon for enabling an operator to adjust the tension inspring (40) manually.

[0035] A lock nut (60) retains adjustment nut (56). on bolt (30).

[0036] In order to provide a braking force on the rotation of rollsupport (42) a brake pad ring (62) is located between ring (50) of rollsupport (42) and support face (26) of main body (12). Wall (36) fitswithin brake pad ring (62) and locates it in position.

[0037] By rotating adjustment nut (56) to adjust the tension of spring(40), the operator can vary the braking friction applied to ring (50) ofroll support (42).

[0038] In operation a roll R of stretch wrap material having a core of afirst diameter can be slid on to drum (48). Preferably drum (48) issized so as to ensure that the core makes a snug friction fit.

[0039] The system can adapt to rolls having cores of differentdiameters.

[0040] In order to receive a roll having a core of another diameter,greater than core, a roll adapter (70) (FIG. 3) is provided. Thisstructure is generally similar to that of main roll support (42) alreadydescribed.

[0041] It has an inner barrel (72) sized to make a tight friction fit ondrum (48) and having an end wall (74) extending radially outward.

[0042] A tapered drum (76) extends rearwardly from end wall (74) andterminates in a flange ring (78). An inner detent (80) is formed on aflexible finger portion on the inside of barrel (72). Detent is (80)designed to snap into slot (52) on drum (42) and retain adapter (70) onmain roll support (42).

[0043] Once adapter (70) is locked in position a roll can be push fittedonto tapered drum (76) for dispensing stretch wrap material from thatroll. A finger (82) is provided in barrel (72) which extends through endwall (74) to enable the detent (80) and its finger to be flexed toreleased from slot (52) for removal of adapter (70).

[0044] In operation once the dispenser system, ie the dispenser and theselected roll of stretch wrap material, is assembled, (FIG. 4), theoperator can grip the handle with one hand and can secure the free endof the stretch wrap material to the object to be wrapped. He then pullson the dispenser and thus stretches the material, and winds it aroundthe object. He continues maintaining tension in the stretch wrapmaterial by pulling on the handle. The brake mechanism resist unwindingand thus enables the tension to be maintained. The brake friction can beadjusted to suit, by simply rotating adjustment knob.

[0045] The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is given here by way of example only. The invention isnot to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described,but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A manual dispenser for stretch wrap material andcomprising; a dispenser body; a handle on said dispenser body; and, aroll carrier extending from said body for receiving a roll of stretchwrap material and being rotatable whereby to permit controlled unwindingof said stretch wrap material from said roll.
 2. A manual dispenser forstretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and including a roll spindlefastened to said body and said roll carrier being rotatably mounted onsaid spindle.
 3. A manual dispenser for stretch wrap material as claimedin claim 1 and in which there is an adjustable braking device forapplying a retarding force to said roll carrier.
 4. A manual dispenserfor stretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the brakingdevice extends through said spindle and into said body.
 5. A manualdispenser for stretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and whereinthe adjustment device is located on a free end of said braking devicelocated within said body.
 6. A manual dispenser for stretch wrapmaterial as claimed in claim 1 and which can be attached to one end onlyof a roll, for single handed operation.
 7. A manual dispenser forstretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and which may be applied toboth ends of a roll for two handed dispensing.
 8. A manual dispenser forstretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and which is adaptable toreceive roll cores of varying diameter.
 9. A manual dispenser forstretch wrap material as claimed in claim 1 and which has a roll supportas described, for receiving a roll core of one diameter and which has aroll adapter which can be fitted on the roll support for receiving aroll core of a larger diameter 10 A manual stretch wrap materialdispenser system comprising; a roll of stretch wrap material having acore defining two ends; a dispenser body; a handle on said dispenserbody; and, a core holder extending from said body for receiving one endof said core of a roll of stretch wrap material and being rotatablewhereby to permit controlled unwinding of said stretch wrap materialfrom said roll, said core holder being attached to one end only of saidcore, for single handed operation.
 11. A manual stretch wrap materialdispenser system comprising; a roll of stretch wrap material having acore defining two ends; a dispenser body at each end of said core; ahandle on each said dispenser body; and, a core holder extending fromeach said body for receiving a respective end of said core of a roll ofstretch wrap material and being rotatable whereby to permit controlledunwinding of said stretch wrap material from said roll.